Alumni Services

Your chance to get involved

Interested in becoming a member of the General Council Business Committee? This is your opportunity to make a difference and become part of the governance of the University.

General Council

The General Council was first established as part of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858 and was the direct result of a sustained campaign by alumni, led by advocate James Lorimer, to involve graduates in the governance of Scottish universities.

Its role has evolved over time but the value of graduate involvement in the life of the University is as important now as it was in 1858 and we are now seeking nominations for the upcoming elections to the Business Committee of the General Council and would like to encourage graduates to consider standing.

Current work

The Council has recently provided the University of Edinburgh's response to the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill 2015 with the formal submission prepared by a working party of the Business Committee.

Read more about the response to the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill 2015.

Call for nominations  

In February 2016 there will be an election for five members of the General Council’s Business Committee – the team who manage the Council’s ongoing work programme. Are you interested in becoming a member of the Business Committee? Nomination forms can be downloaded below or from the General Council website. They can also be requested by email or telephone from the General Council Office.

Download General Council Business Committee nomination papers (pdf)

Visit the General Council website

The General Council

Contact details

All completed nomination forms must be returned to the General Council Office by 5pm on Wednesday 25 November 2015.

Voting in the elections

Voting will commence on Monday 11 January 2016.

The election will take place on Thursday 11 February and the result announced on Saturday 13 February 2016 at the General Council’s Half-Yearly Meeting.